HEGEMONIC designs and aggressive posture on the part of India poses a serious threat to peace and security of South Asia.
Speaking at an event on Monday, Adviser to the National Command Authority (NCA), Lieutenant General Khalid Ahmed Kidwai very rightly warned that threats to the region’s strategic stability have grown because of Hindu fundamentals’ control of Indian nuclear arsenal.
What the NCA Adviser has stated is not a perception but his remarks are based on facts in view of provocative statements that keep emanating from New Delhi including that of the threat of pre-emptive nuclear strike against Pakistan, and hence this must be taken seriously.
Indian National Command Authority is responsible for command, control and operational decisions pertaining to the country’s nuclear arsenal.
Its political council is currently led by Prime Minister Modi while the executive council is headed by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.
Moreover, a few ministers having RSS background are also members of NCA and these include Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
In recent months, all these ministers have given provocative statements against Pakistan whilst Modi himself has maintained an aggressive nuclear stance.
In his public rallies, he has talked about usability of nukes. Under Modi’s watch, his ministers and retired senior officials have signalled changes in the nuclear doctrine.
The February 2019 air strike in Balakot and the March 2022 missile incidents are also examples of extremists committing aggression against the nuclear armed neighbour, while being oblivious of the consequences.
Big ticket defence deals by the Modi government with different countries also depict its aggressive posture.
Hence General Kidwai is right in saying that the threat posed by extremists’ control of Indian nuclear weapons had assumed a real life character and momentum of its own.
Responsibility rests with the international community not to neglect the threat to peace and security of South Asia.
The major capitals must rein in India before it is too late. Resolution of the lingering Kashmir dispute is of immense importance to avoid a war between the two nuclear armed nations.
